Abstract
Objective
To assess the efficacy of iron fortified biscuits, in high and low dosages, on the hemoglobin levels of anemic school going children aged 6 to 12 y.
Methods
The nutrition intervention was conducted in primary schools located in villages at Shimoga district, Karnataka. School children aged 6 to 12 y who were anemic, with hemoglobin level <11.5 g/dl were considered for the nutrition intervention. The sampling design undertaken was quasi experimental with pre and post stages of outcome. The children enrolled were divided into two groups. One group received high dosage of iron fortified biscuits (30 mg of elemental iron/6 biscuits) and the second group received a relatively lower dosage of iron fortified biscuits (1.8 mg of elemental iron/6 biscuits) for a period of 120 d. The hemoglobin levels were estimated pre and post fortified biscuit supplementation by cyanomethemoglobin method.
Results
There was an increase in the mean hemoglobin level of children which was found to be higher in group I (high iron fortified biscuits) (1.06 g/dl) compared to group II (low iron fortified biscuits) (0.41 g/dl), significant at 0.01 level (t = 3.84**).
Conclusions
In the current nutrition intervention, both high and low iron fortified biscuits led to a significant enhancement in the body weight and hemoglobin status of anemic school children in a rural setup. The nutrition intervention clearly highlights biscuits as an ideal fortification vehicle for addressing anemia.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Britannia Industries Limited for funding and Britannia Nutrition Foundation for rolling out the nutrition intervention. The BAIF team that extended support at the field level, volunteers for constant follow up to ensure compliance, teachers of the schools, anganwadi workers and the children for their cooperation during the intervention period.
Contributions
DB: Planning and execution of project work; KN: Principal investigator, design and review of the nutrition intervention; HSS: Statistician; DC: Pediatrician; GG: On site field work, data compilation. Mr. Pascal Ville, Vice President, R&D and Quality, Britannia Industries Limited, will act as guarantor for this paper.
Conflict of Interest
None.
Source of Funding
The study has been funded by Britannia Industries Limited.
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Bal, D., Nagesh, K., Surendra, H.S. et al. Effect of Supplementation with Iron Fortified Biscuits on the Hemoglobin Status of Children in Rural Areas of Shimoga, Karnataka. Indian J Pediatr 82, 253–259 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1483-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1483-7